MAINZ, Germany (Reuters) – League leaders Bayern Munich slumped to a 3-1 loss at Mainz 05 on Saturday, conceding all three goals in a span of 14 minutes in their latest slip-up which could prove costly in the race for the Bundesliga title with five games remaining.
The Bavarians, eliminated by Manchester City in the Champions League last eight on Wednesday, could not have imagined a worst afternoon after going 1-0 up courtesy of Sadio Mane’s 29th minute header at the far post.
Bayern, chasing an 11th straight league crown, are on 59 points and second-placed Borussia Dortmund, on 57, can take over the lead with a win over Eintracht Frankfurt later on Saturday.
Despite having more than 70% of possession for more than an hour, Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern, who have now won just one of their last six games in all competitions, were unable to carve out any more chances.
They were punished for sloppy defending in the 65th after failing to clear the ball repeatedly and keeper Yann Sommer punched it straight on to the head of Ludovic Ajorque who only had to nod in for the equaliser.
Another defensive error by Josip Stanisic allowed Leandro Barreiro to slot home and put the hosts in front as the Bayern club bosses looked on in complete shock from the stands.
The hosts, however, were not done yet as Aaron Martin rifled in their third goal in the 79th to make it 10 games without defeat for Mainz, who are now sixth and in contention for a European spot.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; editing by Clare Fallon)
